Which Spanish entrepreneur began selling cachorro-quente at his Brazilian cinemas in 1926?

Spanish entrepreneur Francisco Serrador began selling cachorro-quente at his Brazilian cinemas in 1926.

Serrador was a Spanish-born businessman who became a major cinema operator in Brazil. He introduced the hot dog to audiences at his cinemas in Rio de Janeiro’s Cinelândia, helping connect the snack with the growing culture of moviegoing and American-influenced entertainment.

The introduction is often dated to around 1926, and the novelty quickly entered Brazilian popular culture. In 1928, composers Lamartine Babo and Ary Barroso created a carnival march titled “Cachorro-Quente,” commonly linked to the snack’s rising visibility. Later Brazilian versions developed highly regional toppings, including tomato sauce, corn, potato sticks, and—in some areas—mashed potato. Serrador, rather than the two composers, is the answer to the business-history question.